Bob Christy/ KSUChealyn Jackson, a senior in Kent State University's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, gives a 10-minute presentation on her proposed redesign of a campus library for students and a panel of judges. "It's simple and complex all at the same time," Jackson said in describing her vision.

View full sizeBob Christy/ KSUBethany Diehl, a senior in Kent State University's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, gives her presentation.

I went back to school to get a little remedial education from the kids in interior design classes.

After a morning with the bright minds in Kent State University's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, I'd learned that, while they grew up watching HGTV (and boy, does that phrase make me feel decrepit), most won't seek careers in home interior design.

All those fix-it, paint-it, move-that-bus television shows inspire creative kids to pursue design careers, said Pamela K. Evans, associate dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

But then they get to campus and find out it's not all pillows and paintbrushes.

"It's a reality check," Evans said. "Those shows are not a true indication of what the profession is all about."

The college's literature tries to make clear that it doesn't teach decor, but interior design, which is about making spaces functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Students learn about social and human behavior and how they relate to the environment.

Work, play and living "all require something different," Evans said. "It's not about putting paint on walls."

About 95 percent of the college's 200 students are expected to seek jobs with architecture firms, where they will focus on designing the interiors of office buildings and large-scale projects, she said.

Evans invited me to visit campus on the day when seniors in the Interior Design Studio Problems VI class were giving presentations. (Other area colleges also have interior design schools, which I hope to visit in the future.)

Their assignment was to redesign the university's Joseph F. Morbito Architecture Library. The students' theoretical designs -- the university has no plans to redo the library -- were supposed to show how they, as interior designers, would make better use of the space, Evans said.

Students had been working on this major class assignment for weeks and were expected to turn in work on a professional level.

Evans and I took a short walk across campus from her office to the students' studio space. Every cubicle wall was plastered with clippings, swatches, photographs, doodles and anything else that could lend inspiration. Even in the morning hush when few students were at their drafting desks, the room vibrated with messy exuberance and creative energy.

Chealyn Jackson and Bethany Diehl, both 21-year-old seniors, were dressed in smart, professional ensembles and seemed remarkably calm considering the task ahead.

Jackson said she was an HGTV-inspired freshman who quickly learned that Kent State's program was nothing like "Design on a Dime."

"But I stuck it out," said Jackson, who grew up in New Philadelphia. "We learned a lot of interesting things. They teach all of the fundamentals," such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), plumbing and electrical systems.

What about her dream of being the next HGTV star?

Residential interior design is not a growing market right now, she said. Plus, she said, there are scary issues in residential work, like couples who argue and can't agree on a redesign, with the designer caught in the middle.

Scary, indeed.

Diehl, who grew up in Orville, chose this major because it was "something I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life, which was important to me," she said.

The good news is that both of these bright women hope to stay in Northeast Ohio -- if the job market cooperates.

When it was time, we walked to the classrooms where Diehl, Jackson and about 30 other students would give 10-minute presentations in front of fellow students and a judging panel of faculty, alumni and professional designers and architects.

Each student had created large presentation boards showing proposed floor plans, furnishings, colors, textures, fabrics and thematic images. Almost everyone had created a concept video that they played on their laptops for the audience.

Each presentation board looked like a jumble of shapes to me, but by the end of the students' talk, I could understand what all the images meant and could imagine what it would be like to study or meet friends in that library.

As I waited for Jackson's and Diehl's turns, I felt as nervous as a mom at her daughter's first violin recital.

Diehl's theme was "Do as the Romans Do." She spoke about the definition of a library, and her concept video showed views of Roman ruins. People respect those structures, and she wanted to examine why they endure.

Diehl explained that she incorporated Roman architecture in her design by using Greek columns at the library's circulation desk. She also doubled the size and number of computers, and incorporated group study areas, an art exhibit space and various styles of chairs.

Jackson's impressive concept video was about journeys, going back to basics, evolution and growth. Inspired by nature, her redesign used wood and a lot of textures.

"It's simple and complex all at the same time," Jackson said. Her vision had a "perch area" for laptops and iPads, a cafe and student lounge.

Afterward, both women were pleased with the judges' praise.

We may not be able to hire Jackson and Diehl to pick our wallpaper, but it's gratifying to know that they'll use their creativity and education to beautify the world outside our homes.

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